Former Indian Wells councilman Patrick Mullany dies

Pat Mullany, former FBI criminal profiler and former Indian Wells councilman, is photographed at his Indian Wells home. Mullany died Wednesday morning at 81.(Photo: Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun)Buy Photo

Former Indian Wells city councilman Patrick Mullany died Wednesday morning. He was 81.

News of Mullany's death was confirmed by Indian Wells city spokeswoman Nancy Samuelson.

"He handled some very difficult times on the Indian Wells council and he handled it very, very well," said Indian Wells City Councilman Ty Peabody. "He was very active in the community and very active in the valley."

Mullany was born on March 18, 1935 in New York City, according to a 2005 interview he conducted with the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.

Mullany grew up in New York and joined the Christian Brothers, an organization within the Catholic church, after he graduated from high school in 1953. While he was part of the organization, he earned a degree in psychology and taught at a novitiate home for the Christian Brothers.

After 11 years, Mullany decided to change careers. His degree in psychology and his teaching experience drew him to the FBI.

Mullany then dedicated more than 20 years of his life to profiling criminals for the FBI before retiring in 1986.

He served on the Indian Wells City Council for eight years, until December 2014.

Peabody said he met Mullany on the council and they served two years together.

"He was a supporter. He was my mentor and he was a wonderful friend," Peabody said.